Nearly 80 delegates participated in the launching ceremony of the Research Center for Inclusion (RCI) on 18 October 2019 in Hanoi. The ceremony aimed to announce the start and activity of RCI to the public, donors and partner organizations.
The Research Center for Inclusion (RCI) is legally registered with the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology in Vietnam as a Vietnamese non-governmental organization in accordance with the Decision number 64-2018 of the Southeast Asian Research Association of Vietnam (SEARAV).
The organization engaged senior experts on inclusive education, inclusive health & CBR and research as advisory board members who will support and provide technical advice on the development and growth of RCI. A three-member Board,Prof. Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen, Professor of Education, Senior Lecturer of the National Academy of Education Management – Advisory Board Chairwoman, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, National Coordinator of Vietnam Association for Education For All – Advisory Board member and Dr. Ho Sy Quang, Country Director of Medipeace Vietnam – Advisory Board member, were introduced to the event audience.
RCI’s Advisory Board
In the event, RCI shared its 2020-2025 organizational strategy that focuses on the fields of research with publicity and advocacy, inclusive education, inclusive health & CBR (community-based rehabilitation) and social inclusion. All RCI programs targets on groups of persons with disability, including children and leprosy-affected persons in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Art presentation of a deaf girl
“Historically, RCI is a continuation of the Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR) Mekong Region that operated for 35 years in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar to support persons with disability due to leprosy. Presently, RCI continues to work with the population of disability, including those affected by leprosy with a focus on inclusion. We are confident that with our dynamic and experienced team we will bring positive and quality changes to people with disability,” said Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, RCI Director.
Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, RCI Director
“RCI is an active member of our international network – the Liliane Foundation Inclusion Network (LINC) in the Asian region. I can see fruitful opportunities for RCI to contribute to the wellbeing and advancement of persons with disability in the region, at the same time to benefit from joint works, sharing experience and knowledge of the LINC Asia. I highly appreciate a strong partnership with RCI so far and I am very positive about a bright future for RCI as a new local NGO,” said Mr. Steven Berdenis van Berlekom, Executive Director for Liliane Foundation and MIVA.
Mr. Steven Berdenis van Berlekom, Executive Director for Liliane Foundation and MIVA
As part of the ceremony, inclusion of persons with disability, particularly their ability to live independently, and the rights of children with disability were discussed and facilitated by the two keynote speakers, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Director of Action to the Community Development Center (ACDC) and Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of Department of Children Affairs, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Director of Action to the Community Development Center (ACDC)
More photos from the launching:
Launching video: